Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Americans from New York to Los Angeles will adorn their houses with the colors of independence: red, white and blue. Red, white and blue fireworks will light up the skies and red, white and blue flags will wave through the air as a representation of our pride in our nation.

These colors have come to represent a people, a nation and moreover a unifying idea –independence.

The American brand is represented by many brand signals, one of them being the colors red, white and blue.

The origin of our country’s color palette traces back to the introduction of the Great Seal of the United States, surprisingly not our flag. Charles Thompson, who was Secretary of the Continental Congress at the time, told the assembled audience as he introduced the Seal:

"White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief, and the placement of the broad band signifies, vigilance, perseverance & justice."

The red, white and blue have gained both attributive meaning and collective meaning in the following 200+ years. They signal our thoughts about freedom, about liberty and about the people that make up this great country.

In short, they function as brand signals.

Red – a symbol of valor and bravery.

White – a symbol of purity and innocence.

Blue – a symbol of vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Our founders recognized the ability of color to communicate meaning. They recognized the power that brand signals have.

Whether most Americans today know the significance of these colors, they still work to evoke our patriotic spirit and unify us as a people and as a country.

If you’re interested, here is the official color palette of the United States: